Lamp harp



July 14, 1959 H. SH GLO 2,895,041

LAMRHARP Y Filed Dec; :5, 195a I INVENTOR. fiAeeY ,531054 0w United States Patent DAMP .HARP

Harry Shoglow, Chicago, Ill., assignor of one-half to Carl Wildey,Chicago, 111.

Application December '3, 1956, Serial No. 625,730

1 Claim. (Cl. 240-148) The present invention relates to-irnprovements inlamp fixtures and more particularly to certain hardware accessoriesutilized in floor and-table lamps for adjustably supporting lamp shadesand similar coverings.

The class of accessories 'to which'thisinvention relates is generallyknown as lamp shade harps. Such articles have been known to possessfeatures of adjustability but it is now proposed to teach a newconstruction of harp which will enable the user to grasp the lampelements by their external and easily accessible portions, and by simplyexerting a suflicient force to overcome a stable frictional retainingarrangement, to achieve abundant ranges of shade level variations ininfinite degrees or increments. This is accomplished by certain novelharp mechanism which utilizes inversely divergent interfittingcomponents which may be made of low cost sheet and wire stock materialwithout need of tempering, heat treatment or hardening. In addition,this new design possesses esthetic advantages of compactness and freedomfrom functional obstructions and protuberances, characteristic in knowndevices of this class.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a harp fixture of thetype suitable for use in all forms of home decorative lamps which willaiford shade level adjustability with greatest of ease and facilitywithout requiring special knowledge or training to manipulate.

Another object of such invention is to provide a fixture of this classwhich may be produced at so small of cost considerations as to becompetitive with harps lacking in the advantages of shade leveladjustability.

Yet another purpose of this invention is to provide a lamp harp withfeatures of shade level adjustability achieved through frictionalinterengagetment of relatively movable parts which parts are abundantlysturdy to sustain considerable weight in shade styles without sufleringdegeneration from frequent or repeated use and adjustment.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in such anadjustable level lamp harp maximum movement limits by means of economiccost methods so that the achievement of safety against accidentalseparation of the shade from its lamp elements involves butinsignificant cost factors.

The foregoing and other objects and purposes of this invention will bemore evident from the following specification and description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing in which like referencenumerals designate corresponding parts throughout, and in which;

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional view through the upper extremity of atable or floor lamp with portions broken away, featuring various detailsof the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a grouped side elevational view of the principal elementswhich embody the invention,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged scale perspective view of the elements shown inFig. 2, but in interrelated condition,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken along the sectionline designation 4-4 of Fig. 3, and

ICC

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional detail view as represented byline 55of Fig. 4.

The reference designation 11 inFig. 1 indicates the top of a lamppedestal from which a threaded pipe or ferrule 12 customarily projectswith suflicient length to accommodate a bottom nut 13, washer or thinnut 14 as well as the threaded collar portion 15 of a conventional lampreceiving socket 16. As -with'other types of harps, the present articleis adapted to be held clampingly between the just described threadedelements 13 and 14, or between elements 13 and "15, where no otherintervening clamp means is used. Thus, installation may be made byplacing the ferrule 12 through the'hole 16, Fig. 3, provided in thesymmetricalcenter of the base'member generally indicated 17.

From the center of the base member 17 there'extend in oppositedirections the wings 18 and 19 in both of which are formedreinforcingembossments or ribs 21 for the purpose of imparting to thismember an additional quality of stiffness in the region of itscurvatures 2'2. Angling upwardly and outwardly from the horizontalcenter part 23 which is comprised of the wings 18 and 19 are the opposedtubate columns 24- and 25, formed by rolling the same sheet stock fromwhich the center part 23 is made, into cylindrical pillars which shouldassume a suitable balanced flare to afford spacing for the electriclight bulb 26, as illustrated. Ordinarily, the thickness of stock fromwhich the base member is made should afford suflicient rigidity to thetubate columns to resist any tendency of spreading at the vertical seams27, but where desired, secure stability in this regard may be had byspot welding at one or two points along this scam.

The width of the stock, particularly in the region of the columns 24 and25, should be controlled so that when rolled into the describedcylindrical columns, the internal diameter should be such as to snuglyreceive the downwardly extending legs 28 and 29 of bail member 31. Thismember is constructed of wire stock, bent around generous arcs from acenter horizontal portion or lintel 32, provided with the central studthreaded element 33 to which the shade spider is conventionally secured.

The legs 28 and 29 should flare outwardly to an extent as shown in Fig.2, so that by constricting them to insert their ends into the holes ofthe tubate columns 24 and 25, there is established a latent tensionwhich will exert a surprisingly constant frictional pressure upon thecolumns so that for any degree of insertion of the legs into thecolumns, this friction will serve to hold the relationship againstshifting even when subjected to heavy shade loads. This phenomenon ofconstancy is believed to be attributable to the reciprocal qualities ofsurface friction which increases as the legs are inserted farther intothe columns and the localization of spring tension which increases asthe legs are withdrawn.

The outermost surfaces of the legs 28 and 29 are preferably flattened,by rolling or milling as at 34, Figs. 3 to 5, for a limited extent only,terminating significantly at their lowermost extremities with shoulders35, Fig. 4, and the tubulations 24 and 25 are provided with indentations36, near their uppermost ends. By means of the just described low costadditional features, the bail member 31 may be constrained against totalwithdrawal in the event that a user should inadvertently seek to pullthe shade above the contemplated limit provided for.

It is to be noted that in contradistinction with other media heretoforedirected to this purpose, the user no longer is required to have advanceknowledge of the mechanical workings of concealed levers, detents orscrews which have to be pressed, loosened or regulated in order toefiect shade level adjustment. Also, there is no neces- 2,895,041 a t asity of stooping or reaching into blind lamp heated regions in order tomake level adjustments. To use this device one need but grasp anysuitable part of the lamp shade frame, such as the finial or spider andpull or push with respect to the'lamp pedestal. The adjustment may bemade as incrementally as is desired, without regard to pre-establishednotches, holes or other such limitations.

While the invention has been explained and described with reference tocertain examples of embodiment, it isto be understood that norestriction of scope is thereby intended, but that changes andvariations falling within this invention shall be construed solely inthe light of the appended claim.

The invention claimed is:

An adjustable lamp shade harp comprising a base mem- 15 said shaftsections and said tubate columns being springablet convergently to alignthe shaft sections with and be received within the tubatecolumns undersubstantially constant frictional engagementfor varying positions ofinsertion, a projection on the interior of each tubate column closelyadjacent to its free end, and an indentation on a surface of each shaftsection substantially coextensive with its length and in registrationwith the projection but stopping short of its free end to provide ashoulder to coact with the projection for restraining separation of thebail member from the base member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS557,382 Handlan Mar. 31, 1896 1,946,959 Auerbach Feb. 13, 1934 2,408,522Leef Oct. 1, 1946 2,420,471 Engel May 13, 1947 2,435,954 Berger Feb. 17,1948 2,593,704 Smurik Apr. 22, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 673,850 GreatBritain June 11, 1952

